LOS ANGELES — The Alliance of Area Business Publishers (AABP) presented 112 Editorial Excellence awards to newspaper and magazine business periodicals June 11, 2016, the climax of its three-day annual Summer Conference in Des Moines, IA.

With 644 entries from 46 publications in the U.S., Canada and Australia, the competitive field was both impressive and diverse. The divisions were revised this year to include fewer Magazine/Newspaper only categories and put an emphasis on core journalism categories to showcase more of the journalistic excellence. Divisions include Design, Journalism, Online and Best of Show.

Awarded to Florida Trend at the AABP conference:

BEST FEATUREGold: Florida Trend; “The Cuba Factor”; Jason GarciaKicking off with a first-person narrative that grabs the reader, this extensive feature covers a lot of ground as is examines the economic possibilities of a reopened Cuban market. With thoughtful and well-reported writing, it answers a lot of questions about business sectors to watch.

BEST RECURRING FEATUREGold: Florida Trend, “ICON”; Art LevySurprising characters and their answers to terrific questions populate this wonderful column. The NFL linebacker, the famous entertainer and the alligator wrestler become real and accessible when you learn about their childhoods, their faith, favorite food and the way they raise a family. These interviews are just brimming with humanity, compassion and wit.

BEST EXPLANATORY JOURNALISMSilver: Florida Trend; “20 million”; Mike VogelA focus on impacts that are in part surprising and unpredictable sets apart this breakdown of a population trend that’s perhaps even more important in Florida than other places. The story is important, informative and digestible.

BEST EDITORIALGold: Florida Trend; “More Than Water”; Mark HowardIn prose that’s clear and compelling, Mark Howard outlines why the water supply for Florida remains the single most important issue for the state as it grows beyond 20 million residents. He uses the rhetorical strategy of a striking sense-of-place comparison: arid Israel with lush Florida. In this way, he points to innovative strategies that provide a template for water supply sustainability and economic growth.

As in past years, the most popular categories were Best Feature and Best Explanatory Journalism. According to Reuben Stern, who coordinated the judging by faculty members at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, entries in these and other categories showcased thorough reporting and strong writing accompanied by useful graphics and photos to convey the material.

“Entries across all categories demonstrate how widely publications have embraced creative ways to present essential information and contextual material to help audiences understand the complex stories happening around them,” Stern said.

From stories about Uber and Lyft to coverage of GMOs and female executives, the award-winning business publications are delving into issues that matter to readers economically — and socially. “These regional business publishers capture their audiences with compelling designs for print and digital formats, keep their attention with relevant content, and earn their loyalty with consistency and quality,” said Alliance Executive Director C. James Dowden.

About the AABP

The annual AABP Editorial Excellence competition recognizes excellence in journalism, photography and design achieved by regional business publications. Twenty-four judges (profiled in the following pages) are comprised of faculty members from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, with qualifications in respective area of expertise. “The purpose of the Alliance competition,” according to Dowden, “is to encourage a high level of journalistic performance and service to communities by recognizing editorial excellence and outstanding visual presentation in regional business publications.” Best Magazine went to D CEO Magazine; Best Newspaper: Small Tabloids to Daily Herald BusinessLedger, and Best Newspaper: Medium/Large Tabloids to Los Angeles Business Journal. Best Cover: Magazines to D CEO Magazine, and Best Front Page: Newspapers to Crain’s Cleveland Business. Most Improved Publication is Providence Business News. Best Website to Crain’s Chicago Business. Best Bylined Commentary went to Georgia Trend. Best Specialty e-newsletter went to Business News(Western Australia). Best Use of Multimedia went to Crain’s Chicago Business and best Daily E-Mail went to Business News (Western Australia).

Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Alliance is a nonprofit national organization representing 64 independent magazine and newspaper members in the United States, Canada and Australia. For more information about the Alliance, call 310/379-8261 or visit www.bizpubs.org.